Cheltenham Gold Cup Winner Heads King George VI Chase Field Of 11 Runners

Native River And Might Bite Have Been Entered For The King George VI Chase

Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Native River is one of 11 horses entered for the 2018 King George VI Chase at the five-day stage.

The Colin Tizzard trained horse produced one of the key racing results of the season last term as he picked up the big prize at the Festival but this could be an even tougher assignment. The 8-year-old will be clashing with old rival Might Bite once again with the latter looking to win the King George for a second time after his famous success last year.

The sharp track and slightly shorter trip is likely to play against the strengths of Native River but the Gold Cup winner ran a good race in the Betfair Chase last month and connections will be hoping he can continue a remarkable last 18 months.

Other entries for the Kempton contest include Thistlecrack, who won the race in 2016 and Politologue, who is stepping up in trip for the first time to 3m having won the Melling and 1965 Chase this year for Paul Nicholls.

Betfair Chase winner Bristol De Mai will be bidding to put his terrible performance in the race last year behind him, while the Gordon Elliott trained Shattered Love is the sole representative from Ireland left in the race at the current stage.

Waiting Patiently remains in the field for Ruth Jefferson with the Ascot Chase winner another one who will be stepping up in trip for the first time. The 7-year-old will go to the contest without a prep run but connections have been bullish in recent weeks and a drop of rain between now and the off could also do his chances no harm at all.

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